posole, blue chair, and monkey business

I recently discovered a slow cooker vegetarian dish that I have to share with you all.

It is so simple to throw together, it almost sounds like it's too good to be true. We

had this a couple of weeks ago and even the husband loved it so much, that he 

asked me to make it again. Zesty Bean Posole is a hearty Mexican stew.

ZESTY BEAN POSOLE

2 (15-16 oz) cans golden hominy, rinsed & drained (I used white hominy

the first time and it turned out fine)

2 (15-16 oz) cans red beans, rinsed and drained (I used one can red

beans and one can pinto beans)

3-1/2 c. reduced-sodium vegetable broth (or you could sub chicken broth)

1 (16 oz.) jar thick & chunky salsa

2 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 c. whipping cream or half-and-half

2 T. all-purpose flour

Slivered green onions & shredded cheese for garnish

In a 4 qt. slow cooker combine hominy, beans, broth, salsa, and oregano.

Cover; cook on low setting 7-8 hours or on high setting for 3-1/2 - 4 hours.

With 30 min. of cook time remaining, increase to high heat setting if

necessary. In a small bowl stir together cream and flour until smooth; stir

into mixture in cooker. Cover; cook for 30 min. more or until mixture is 

slightly thickened. To serve, ladle soup into bowls. Top with green onions

and shredded cheese, if desired. Makes 6 serv.

Well, I ended up moving that blue chair back by the fireplace. I think it

looks better there...that area needs some color!

And then I moved the little black chair to the other side of the table.

Who knows how long it will stay there? ;-)

 

I also bought a rug pad and moved Grandma's oriental runner into the hallway.

Nosy Monkey had to check it out, of course.

And now that he's discovered he can get to the top of the china cabinet,

he's taken a liking to just hanging around up there.

A few days ago I was in the basement and Monkey was down there prowling

around. All of a sudden, he came whizzing by me with something dangling from

his mouth as he headed upstairs. Of course, I thought it was a mouse and

went chasing after him, expecting to find something gray and fuzzy running

around the kitchen and living room. Instead, I found this. A bunched-up

ribbon decoration for a baby present. Some mouse!

 How can I not love and laugh at this freaky face? I was watering plants and 

he just had to sniff the end of the watering can. What a weirdo. (And I mean

that in the nicest sense.)

Happy Thursday, everyone. We're warming up into the 30's for the weekend,

but the warmer temps are bringing freezing rain and snow showers.